After two years of pandemic-shaped ceremonies, The world renowned Primetime Emmys returned to what feels like a normal, pre-Covid event. On Monday September 12,  in the Microsoft Theater of Los Angeles, fan favorite shows, The White Lotus, Ted Lasso and Succession all received major awards.

       Unlike other years, The Television Academy announced this year’s Emmys without mention of the leading network or program. This caused Networks such as HBO and Netflix to count all their nominations on their own, just to obtain bragging rights. According to Variety Magazine, the reason that the winner was not announced by the Television Academy was because “The shows are the thing.” They believe that the most important part of the Emmys is awarding outstanding work, not awarding the program that broadcasts the work.

     Although this Emmys ceremony was the first somewhat ‘normal’ Ceremony since Covid,the event saw its lowest number of viewers, according to the New York Times, dropping to 5.9 million, from the last lowest number in 2021, 6.1 million. The proposed reason for this decline in viewership was the fact that the Emmys focused more on old films rather than the new content. Rolling Stones magazine referred to the award ceremony as “The show where everything old is new again.”

      Despite these challenges, the awards resulted in a few important recognitions. Along with winning best drama, Succession was the most nominated program of 2022, with 25 nominations, closely followed by the winning best comedy Ted Lasso with 20 nominations.                                                             

     HBO’s Euphoria actor Zendaya, became the first black woman to win lead actress in a drama, as well as the fourth youngest two time winner of an Emmy. Netflix’s Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae became the first Asian actor to win lead actor in a drama, along with the fourth ever Asian to win an acting Emmy.

      On the comedy side, the creator, writer and star of Abbott Elementary Quinta Brunson, became the first black woman to be nominated for three awards in one year; during her acknowledgement, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel was dragged out on staged by Canadian actor Will Arnett, who explained that after Kimmel had lost his Emmy for his late night series, he had gotten into the “skinny margaritas” and supposedly passed out. Kimmel remained on the floor of the stage as Brunson gave her speech which struck a chord with the viewers. A flood of Tweets were posted addressing the act, many of which were shocked by the disrespect Kimmel showed Brunson.

     Although The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards hit the record of the lowest number of viewers, it still managed to recognize Some outstanding actors and films of this year. Finally able to be back to normal after two years of Covid, the Emmys, like always, have their highs and lows, as well as firsts.